Lamar County BOS President Joe Bounds Signs Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve

(Purvis, MS) – Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense office, announced that Joe Bounds, President, signed a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve on Thursday, 19 September. The signing ceremony occurred during the weekly board meeting.

The Statement of Support confirms Lamar County Board of Supervisors joins other employers in pledging:

Our managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.

We appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans.

We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war.

“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units. I am asking all (State) employers to take a look at their current human resources policies to incorporate policies supportive of Guard and Reserve employees,” said (Name), (State) ESGR State Chair. “Many (State) employers provide ‘Above and Beyond’ support with pay differential to offset the loss of wages, and extension of health care benefits, which complement coverage provided by the military, when their employees are mobilized.”

When asked about the criteria, Ms. McLaughlin said “By meeting the Statement of Support criteria, Lamar County Board of Supervisors pledges to stand proudly with its Guard and Reserve employees, who continue to answer their nation’s call to defend our way of life. Their personal sacrifices are essential to the strength of our nation”.

“Mr. Bounds joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces,” added Ms McLaughlin. “By signing the Statement of Support, Mr. Bounds is sending a clear message to the employees of Lamar County that while they are serving their country they do not have to worry about their civilian jobs.”

ESGR, a Department of Defense office, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within DoD.